Already accepted... what to do preMS1?

[ScarletRMD]

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Hey guys, any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

I graduated from my ugrad this past May and was accepted via EDP to my state medical school (I was a re-applicant who applied late cycle last year). Now that I'm done with classes, and already accepted to Med School, what should I do this year???

The options I have are:

1) Get an MPH - I've been accepted into the MPH program at UMDNJ (which is a two year program), but they are willing to make it a 5 year MD/MPH with that extra year being now(so I wouldn't lose anytime given my current predicament). I would start classes in less than two weeks. Although convenient, I don't know if I need an MPH for my career goals, and I would lose valuable time during MS4 trying to finish my MPH whereas otherwise I could be taking away electives or be doing research. I'll also being doing Medical school almost completely on loans. The MPH would set me back another $25k whereas if I get a full-time job I can pretty much make that much money by next summer, bringing me to my next option.

2) Get a job - I think this makes the most sense - to get a full-time or a few part-time jobs. No matter what I end up doing I'll have at least a part-time job.

3) Research - Should I contact my medical school and see if I can get a head start in research? My goal is to get a radiology/radiation oncology residency in a academic program. (Obviously this may, or I should say likely will, change once I am actually in medical school). Therefore research can be a big boost to my resume. People say only research during medical school "counts", so would this research not count when it comes to residency, etc?

4) Just relax and have a good time - I know a lot of people on here would suggest this and I would even want to. But I feel that if I spend all my time making money and relaxing/working out/socializing, this will be the slowest year EVER. I was extremely active in college with several high profile EC's, intense undergrad research, a social life, and several volunteer activities, not too mention classes. That's partly why my app got out so late. (The other major reason my overconfidence, which is the worst thing you can be when your applying to med school).

Any other ideas you guys have would be extremely helpful also. Any internships, programs abroad (that are budget-friendly), or jobs for a person in my position you guys can suggest would be awesome.

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[MDNM15]

I am sorry I do not have any good advice, but I just wanted to say congrats on your acceptance! 🙂 🙂 You could always contact the medical school advisors and get their suggestions too! 🙂

Good luck and congrats again!!

 

[jm192]

Drink

Spend time with friends and family--while drinking.

Getting a job is good. It took like almost a week in to get my loan money. Having money to rent a place/put down a deposit/get cable/electric and what not set up is important. And you need to buy booze.

I would honestly avoid anything else involving classes. Alot of those that I've talked to with the MD/MPH or DO/MPH don't use it at all now that they're in practice.

 

[Barcu]

Since you are already accepting, I'm assuming that it really doesn't matter what you do (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

In that case, I would just relax and get a job. Make some money, take some time off. You are about to enter some pretty stressful years. Getting a headstart with research or MPH just doesn't seem worth it. I think you will have a lot of time to do all that stuff. This may be your last chance to really take some time off.

Now there are things you MUST NOT do. Like commit a crime (like a DUI or something). Don't give them any reason to take away that acceptance. I'm sure you knew that though.

 

[metallica81788]

I would get a job that pays fairly well but isn't too stressful. That way you can relax and have fun while still making money.

I don't think the research thing would be horrible if you were getting paid and it didn't take up too much of your time. If it ended up like the job I mentioned above, you could go with that. I would only take the research if it paid and still allowed me to relax and have fun with friends when I was not working.

 

[ScarletRMD]

Thank you guys for your advice. I would try to just relax, which I have been all summer, but I feel like this makes time go by sooo slowly and I honestly can't wait for medical school to start.

Also, LOL at the last two posts (one telling me to by alcohol, the next telling me not to get into a DUI). FYI, I don't drink alcohol for religious reasons 😎, but thank you for the advice anyway.

 

[TarHeelEMT]

Drink

Spend time with friends and family--while drinking.

Getting a job is good. It took like almost a week in to get my loan money. Having money to rent a place/put down a deposit/get cable/electric and what not set up is important. And you need to buy booze.

I would honestly avoid anything else involving classes. Alot of those that I've talked to with the MD/MPH or DO/MPH don't use it at all now that they're in practice.

The only thing wrong with this post is the absence of the adverb "heavily."

 

[NickNaylor]

Get a very easy job to finance your fun/boozing habit.

 

[drizzt3117]

just enjoy being a PM-4...

 

[sylvanthus]

For the life of me I will never understand why this topic always comes up. Like relaxing for a year before spending the next decade of your life studying is such a horrible and mundane thing.

OP- Buy Cecil's and Big Robbins and get to work, you're already falling behind.

 

[metallica81788]

just enjoy being a PM-4...

That term will never get old.

Maybe the term to refer to an accepted pre-med would be PM-4A? Suggestions?

 

[jj6vcb]

Drink

Spend time with friends and family--while drinking.

Getting a job is good. It took like almost a week in to get my loan money. Having money to rent a place/put down a deposit/get cable/electric and what not set up is important. And you need to buy booze.

I would honestly avoid anything else involving classes. Alot of those that I've talked to with the MD/MPH or DO/MPH don't use it at all now that they're in practice.

Bartend. I was in a similar situation last year, and got a job at a local sports bar. Best work experience of my life... work weeknights, get your friends to come out when you're working, meet babes. Amazing.

 

[YaBoyAR]

sounds like a pretty cushy/amazing situation. I might do some light reading, enjoy life, a job with low stress, and ride around everywhere very slowly mean-muggin out the window.

 

[ScarletRMD]

Thank you guys for all of your advice. I really do intend to enjoy this year, but I want to keep it productive and semi-busy at the same time. Trying to do the most interesting things possible so it helps the time go by.

Bartending (is that a word?) would be out of the question, lol.

I have no intention of studying anything beforehand and getting Big Robbin's is a definite no-go for me. Not at this point.

Maybe I'll start an initiative raising money for Pakistan... seems like they are in a really bad fix right now. 20% of the country is under water... they are calling it the worst flooding disaster in recorded history... 🙁

 

[DoctaFuture]

are you kidding me scarlet? dude/gal go enjoy life. go travel for a bit. Get a job, mph may not be bad. I would only say do an MPH and/or research if you really want to. Like you're passionate about them.

 

[MCAT guy]

Thank you guys for all of your advice. I really do intend to enjoy this year, but I want to keep it productive and semi-busy at the same time. Trying to do the most interesting things possible so it helps the time go by.

Bartending (is that a word?) would be out of the question, lol.

I have no intention of studying anything beforehand and getting Big Robbin's is a definite no-go for me. Not at this point.

Maybe I'll start an initiative raising money for Pakistan... seems like they are in a really bad fix right now. 20% of the country is under water... they are calling it the worst flooding disaster in recorded history... 🙁

I think you need to sit down and do some thinking.

The simple goal is to not too anything stressful so that you can start fresh. As for staying busy and productive, are you really asking people on SDN what to do with your free time?

Spread your wings, don't get advice from random internet pre-meds or med students on how to spend your free time! What are you doing? GET OFF THE INTERNET!

 

[MCAT guy]

are you kidding me scarlet? dude/gal go enjoy life. go travel for a bit. Get a job, mph may not be bad. I would only say do an MPH and/or research if you really want to. Like you're passionate about them.

👍👍👍

Or exercise your free will, woman.

 

[thedoctor8706]

Sleep
Play Racquetball
Sleep
Play Laser Tag
Sleep
Read a Harry Potter book
Sleep
Eat tons of Food
Sleep
Watch TV
Sleep

 

[thewanderer]

Sleep
Play Racquetball
Sleep
Play Laser Tag
Sleep
Read a Harry Potter book
Sleep
Eat tons of Food
Sleep
Watch TV
Sleep

Repeat for 12 months

 

[RogueUnicorn]

medium robbins

 

[BBender716]

just enjoy being a PM-4...

😆

 

[marble30]

just enjoy being a PM-4...

I thought OP was MS0.

 

[startswithb]

This is your chance to try things you've always wanted to try! Learn to salsa dance, play the piano, drive stick, whatever. This is your one chance to not worry about your career for awhile. Have FuN!

 

[111111111111111]

Since you are already accepting, I'm assuming that it really doesn't matter what you do (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

In that case, I would just relax and get a job. Make some money, take some time off. You are about to enter some pretty stressful years. Getting a headstart with research or MPH just doesn't seem worth it. I think you will have a lot of time to do all that stuff. This may be your last chance to really take some time off.

Now there are things you MUST NOT do. Like commit a crime (like a DUI or something). Don't give them any reason to take away that acceptance. I'm sure you knew that though.

Err I mean that's like saying after you're accepted to college, it doesn't matter what you do. He still has residency to think about.

 

[DoctaFuture]

Now that you really have time. Buy 100 tacos for $100. See how many you can down in one sitting.

 

[drizzt3117]

I thought OP was MS0.

MS implies med student and premeds aren't med students yet, just like I'm not a PGY (-1) haha

 

[jayman883]

get that jetblue unlimited travel for a month ticket for 599 dollars and have the best month of your life before all hell breaks loose that is med school.

 

[vickpick]

4

 

[nlax30]

Travel, work, relax, take up a hobby, etc.... 👍

I'd say no to the MPH, don't really see how it benefit you if you're planning on Rads/Rad Onc.... especially with the extra time and $$ involved.

Research: Only if you came across a really good opportunity that you could possibly continue at some point in med school. Certainly no need to do that at this point as you could always do some research electives later on, but if you are just that bored it can't hurt.

 

[iwantMD]

I would try to get research at the medical school you intend to go if that is near by. Not work like crazy amount but may be like 20 hours a week. YOu ll get to interact more with the faculty and may be some of the students. It will give you slightly more advantage.

 

[CopToEM]

Just chill out, that's what I'd do. If you're independently wealthy (personally or through family) take an international hiatus and do some traveling. It may be many years (7+) before you get to travel internationally for leisure.

Find some community service organizations and donate your time. Orphanages, free medical clinics, food banks, etc. You've spent the last four years slaving away in school and now you have a year of your time to spare. Spend it first on yourself and second on the less privileged. It will make you feel good about yourself and feel good about the way you spent your free time.